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SANTA MONICA (CBS) — Authorities are searching for a driver responsible for a hit-and-run accident that killed a female cyclist in Santa Monica.

The accident happened just after 11 p.m. Tuesday in the 200 block of Pacific Coast Highway near Entrada Drive, Santa Monica police said.

The cyclist was traveling southbound on PCH and straddling the No. 3 lane when she was hit from behind, according to officials.

“The victim was actually riding on the right side of the roadway and for unknown reasons actually swerved into the middle of the three lane and that’s when she was struck,” Sgt. Richard Lewis of the Santa Monica Police Department said.

Police say the impact threw the woman some distance requiring police officers to search for her body.

The victim, a 30-year-old Venice resident identified Wednesday evening as Erin Galligan, was declared dead at the scene.

Both directions of PCH were shut down for several hours as detectives searched the scene for evidence.

Police say the suspect was driving a white pick-up truck or SUV that now has extensive front damage, however no further information was available.

Anyone with information on the accident is urged to call the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 395-9931.